Access to Serra Gelada Natural Park and El Moralet Park closed until the weekend due to fire risk

From tomorrow, Wednesday 19 August, until the weekend, access to Serra Gelada Natural Park and El Moralet Park will not be permitted due to the risk of wildfires caused by the high temperatures forecast. Councillor for the Environment Mónica Gómez explained that “the Valencian Government has declared the highest pre-emergency alert level for wildfire risk across the region, which entails a series of restrictions, including access to natural parks and the movement of people along trails and cross-country.”

Specifically, the resolution published today in the Official Gazette of the Valencian Government establishes that, from Wednesday 19 until Friday 21 August, inclusive, “travel along forest tracks and roads” in Serra Gelada is prohibited “by any type of vehicle, bicycle or on foot”. Only emergency, surveillance, maintenance and residents’ vehicles will be permitted to access the natural park.

The resolution also restricts pedestrian access to areas with significant forest cover, such as El Moralet Park.

In light of this resolution, the councillor has appealed to the public’s “sense of responsibility” and called on residents and visitors to “respect the restrictions and prohibitions established by the Valencian Government”. Gómez stressed that “keeping our forests and woodland areas free from wildfires is a collective responsibility”, and announced that “the City Council will strengthen information and surveillance measures to prevent vehicles and people from entering the natural park while this exceptional situation lasts, particularly at the main access point to the area from Benidorm, La Cruz, which is visited by large numbers of pedestrians every day.”

Accordingly, the Local Police will deploy a special signage and surveillance operation at the entrances to Serra Gelada Natural Park and El Moralet. The operation will involve the Rural Section, quad vehicles and the aerial unit, with drones to control both areas. At the same time, the pre-emergency alert remains in force.

In addition to the restrictions mentioned above, the Valencian Government’s resolution also generally provides for the suspension of certain works and activities, as well as the recreational use of fire for festive purposes, in forested areas and within the forest influence zone (up to 500 metres); prohibits the lighting of any type of fire in these same areas; and suspends any permits previously granted for sporting activities on forest land.

Finally, the councillor has urged the public “over the coming days, in view of the weather warnings for high temperatures, which have reached orange alert level in Benidorm, to follow the recommendations issued by the health authorities to prevent heatstroke.”

Heatwave Safety Recommendations
People are advised to take particular care of older people, children and those who are ill; keep homes cool and well - aired; avoid direct exposure to the sun, especially between 12 noon and 4 p.m.; use protection against solar radiation; eat light meals, including foods rich in water and mineral salts such as fruit and vegetables, and drink plenty of water; wear lightweight, light-coloured clothing that covers as much of the body as possible, especially the head; never leave anyone inside a closed vehicle, including pets; avoid walking along trails and through woodland or open countryside; and, in an emergency, call 112.